The really BIG question


How do biological systems respond to human impacts on planet Earth?

Range changes


Geographic range= total spatial area in which a species is found


Range changes can be facilitated by individuals themselves moving


For example: individuals following food resources, altering migratory pathways, etc.


Can occur (1) naturally (competition) or (2) via move response or (3) changes in survival rate

Confronted with a changing world: organisms can move


Move: movement of individuals (dispersal, migration), populations or species (range changes).


What are the reasons for an organism to move?

Why Move? Organisms are adapted to environments

Koality not Quantity

Natural movement can be disrupted: Monarch

Natural movement can be disrupted: Monarch

Broadly, where are species marching?

In order to persist, species range changes are predictable

The ‘Move Response’ is limited


Move: movement of individuals (dispersal, migration), populations or species (range changes).


Move: movement away from natal territory (typically before or during reproduction - can be gametes not individuals)


Dispersal is a key trait that influences move response. Can be short or long distance - All species (even sessile ones) can disperse, but species differ in their dispersal ability.


Dispersal links/limits individual movement with range shifts

Range changes are usually slow

Many species are limited in a move response by gamete dispersal


Plants are excellent disperses across many generations, however..

Factors that influence the move response

Whether or not species can “move” as a response to global change stressors depends on many things…


Organismal traits: Ability to move in response to changing conditions can be affected by many intrinsic traits like dispersal ability, generation time, etc.

Factors that influence the move response

Whether or not species can “move” as a response to global change stressors depends on many things…


Landscape features: Ability to move in response to changing conditions can be affected by many characteristics of the environment like habitat matrix (connectedness)

Factors that influence the move response

Whether or not species can “move” as a response to global change stressors depends on many things…


Dynamics of change: Ability to move in response to changing conditions can be affected by many global change stressors like pace of change. Can they keep up?

Factors that influence the move response

Whether or not species can “move” as a response to global change stressors depends on many things…


Globalization: Our transport systems change prior constraints on organismal movement for some species, which can lead to biotic homogenization

Factors that influence the move response: Invasion

Projecting the move response into the future…




Ultimately ability to “move” will be determined by an interaction between the species and the environment


100 years from now where could species survive and how could it get there?


Can it disperse far enough fast enough over a fragmented landscape?

Friday: Open discussion - Humans and the ‘move response’

  • Investigate how/when/if humans may have to move due to global change factors


  • Utilize any form of communication you want
    • Be creative!


  • Submit an article on Brightspace
    • as proof of your work


  • Be prepared to discuss what you found as well as your opinion on if it is possible